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Francis Oughterard Mystery #1
A Load of Old Bones
All the Reverend Francis Oughterard had ever wanted was some peace and quiet, instead he becomes entangled in a nightmare world of accidental murder, predatory female parishioners, officious policemen and a drunken bishop. As the vicar's life spirals out of control it is his supercilious cat, Maurice, and bone obsessed hound, Bouncer, who save the day.
A Load of Old Bones is a charming and farcical romp through a 1950's mythical Surrey.
Praise for Suzette A. Hill:
'Perfect one-sitting summer read.' Laura Wilson, Guardian
'E F Benson crossed with Jerome K Jerome' The Times audiobooks review
'Quite why this series should be charming, astringent and witty, instead of emetically twee, I am not sure, but it is entirely delightful' Guardian
'This dry, funny British gem, with its eccentric cast of characters, will have readers laughing and eagerly awaiting the next episode' Publishers Weekly
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2007
14 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Suzette A. Hill
19 books28 followersSuzette A. Hill was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1941. She is a graduate of Nottingham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Universities. Hill taught English literature all her professional life. At age sixty-four and retired, she tried her hand at a short story - just to see what writing fiction felt like, and to her surprise a quintet of humorous novels (Reverend Francis Oughterard series) was the result.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 20, 2009
My goodness! I haven't laughed so hard at a book since Hector was a pup!
It's difficult to tell much about this book without spoilers, so suffice it to say that it's more of a "novel of suspense" than a "detective story" and is told in the first person from three points of view -- a cat, a dog, and a vicar are the three main characters. The setting in 1957 helps to make it a wonderful escape. I suppose this book mightn't be everyone's cup of tea but it certainly was mine.
It's difficult to tell much about this book without spoilers, so suffice it to say that it's more of a "novel of suspense" than a "detective story" and is told in the first person from three points of view -- a cat, a dog, and a vicar are the three main characters. The setting in 1957 helps to make it a wonderful escape. I suppose this book mightn't be everyone's cup of tea but it certainly was mine.
July 16, 2024
A Load Of Old Bones' is a peculiar, surprising, irreverant, dryly amusing book that I found myself admiring, in a stunned is-it-really-going-to-go there? way. It made me shake my head and occaisonally smile. It didn't make me laugh mostly because, in the way of English comedies, at its heart this is a sad story of broken people doing bad things.
When I decided to read a book told from three points of view, the cat, the dog and the vicar, it never occurred to me that the most unexpected point of view would be the vicar's. I'd imagined a sort Father Brown with pets. A story with all creatures great and small working together as an amateur sleuth team. Whatever 'A Load Of Old Bones' is, it's not that.
The setting, a quaint English village in the 1950s, the cat, Maurice, supercilious, cynical and striving to remain emotionally detached and the dog, Bouncer, energetic, optimistic, friendly but brighter and more observant than he at first seems, qualify the novel as a cozy mystery. The two can talk to each other but not to the vicar. Of course they can't. Why would anyone think they could? Each has a voice perfectly suited to its nature and their overlapping but different views of people and events are fun to listen to.
It's the vicar, Francis Oughterard, who transforms the novel from a cozy mystery into something stranger and darker. He's not a man with a vocation. After being demobbed from the Army, an event he greated with relief, he entered the Church because it seemed to be the easiest path open to him. He has learned to fein the currently fashinonable muscular Christianity when absolutely necessary but finds the efffort draining. He's a naturally solitary man who aspires to nothing more than a quiet life.
At least, that was who I thought he was at the beginning of the book. The more I learned of him, the more I wondered if he was actually a troubled, quietly desperate man whose passivity comes from depression rather than serenity. I found Francis Oughterard to be a very believable character. His role in the novel was what surprised me.
What finally convinced me that I was reading something dark rather than something amusing was the murder scene. It wasn't a particularly violent scene. The killing was quick. It was the identity of the murderer that threw me.
The cat, of course, didn't care and the dog, when he figured it out, accepted it as perfectly natural.
I, on the other hand, am still going: THAT'S THE KILLER? NO!
I'd characterise 'A Load Of Old Bones' as a mischievous book. The characters, human and otherwise, feel real. The period setting is evoked with care. The storytelling structure is innovative and delivered with aplomb. I know that there are six Francis Oughterard books and that they have a strong fan base. I have no idea how the series wll move forward from here but I've bought the second book, 'Bones In The Belfry' to find out.
When I decided to read a book told from three points of view, the cat, the dog and the vicar, it never occurred to me that the most unexpected point of view would be the vicar's. I'd imagined a sort Father Brown with pets. A story with all creatures great and small working together as an amateur sleuth team. Whatever 'A Load Of Old Bones' is, it's not that.
The setting, a quaint English village in the 1950s, the cat, Maurice, supercilious, cynical and striving to remain emotionally detached and the dog, Bouncer, energetic, optimistic, friendly but brighter and more observant than he at first seems, qualify the novel as a cozy mystery. The two can talk to each other but not to the vicar. Of course they can't. Why would anyone think they could? Each has a voice perfectly suited to its nature and their overlapping but different views of people and events are fun to listen to.
It's the vicar, Francis Oughterard, who transforms the novel from a cozy mystery into something stranger and darker. He's not a man with a vocation. After being demobbed from the Army, an event he greated with relief, he entered the Church because it seemed to be the easiest path open to him. He has learned to fein the currently fashinonable muscular Christianity when absolutely necessary but finds the efffort draining. He's a naturally solitary man who aspires to nothing more than a quiet life.
At least, that was who I thought he was at the beginning of the book. The more I learned of him, the more I wondered if he was actually a troubled, quietly desperate man whose passivity comes from depression rather than serenity. I found Francis Oughterard to be a very believable character. His role in the novel was what surprised me.
What finally convinced me that I was reading something dark rather than something amusing was the murder scene. It wasn't a particularly violent scene. The killing was quick. It was the identity of the murderer that threw me.
The cat, of course, didn't care and the dog, when he figured it out, accepted it as perfectly natural.
I, on the other hand, am still going: THAT'S THE KILLER? NO!
I'd characterise 'A Load Of Old Bones' as a mischievous book. The characters, human and otherwise, feel real. The period setting is evoked with care. The storytelling structure is innovative and delivered with aplomb. I know that there are six Francis Oughterard books and that they have a strong fan base. I have no idea how the series wll move forward from here but I've bought the second book, 'Bones In The Belfry' to find out.
October 20, 2015
Reverend Oughterard thinks he's finally found his ideal place. He loves peace and quiet and he's starting to enjoy life in his new parish. He likes being on his own and in Molehill he's found something he didn't think he'd actually need. Unfortunately it doesn't last very long and he isn't prepared to give it up so easily. Elizabeth Fotherington really likes the reverend and she does everything she can to spend time in his company. Something has to be done, he can't let her spoil the daily life he's grown so attached to...
Francis Oughterard is a reverend, but he's mainly one out of convenience not because of a calling. He's quite impulsive and isn't very clever, but fortunately there are two loyal companions who are trying to correct his mistakes. Maurice is a cat and Bouncer is a dog. They think Francis is an easy boss and because of that they'll do anything to remain in his company. I loved that Suzette A. Hill made two animals main characters of her book, next to Francis, and their voices are fantastic. I especially liked the haughty voice of Maurice, it's perfect for a cat.
A Load of Old Bones is a witty story. It's cleverly written and I think it's really funny. This is an absurd story in serious words. The combination worked for me and I was instantly hooked. I had such a good laugh and really enjoyed the story. I quite liked the lack of empathy and the selfishness of the characters. Because it's all bizarre it makes sense in its own way. This book is definitely something different and for me it really worked.
Francis Oughterard is a reverend, but he's mainly one out of convenience not because of a calling. He's quite impulsive and isn't very clever, but fortunately there are two loyal companions who are trying to correct his mistakes. Maurice is a cat and Bouncer is a dog. They think Francis is an easy boss and because of that they'll do anything to remain in his company. I loved that Suzette A. Hill made two animals main characters of her book, next to Francis, and their voices are fantastic. I especially liked the haughty voice of Maurice, it's perfect for a cat.
A Load of Old Bones is a witty story. It's cleverly written and I think it's really funny. This is an absurd story in serious words. The combination worked for me and I was instantly hooked. I had such a good laugh and really enjoyed the story. I quite liked the lack of empathy and the selfishness of the characters. Because it's all bizarre it makes sense in its own way. This book is definitely something different and for me it really worked.
April 13, 2009
I wish I could share Nikki's enthusiasm for this book. It was OK, and I chuckled a couple of times, but I kept expecting it to improve. The multiple narrators, including dog and cat, were fun, but at least 75% of the book was from the vicar's point of view, and he is not particularly engaging. He murders an irritating parishioner early on, subsequently suffers no remorse whatsoever (although he does worry about getting caught), and with the aid of the dog and cat, manages to get away with it. I hoped for a major twist, but there was none, nor was there any mystery. The vicar and the cat both describe trivial events with polished and erudite diction, and this can be very funny in the hands of somebody like Oscar Wilde or P.G. Wodehouse; but it has to appear effortless, and here the author seemed to be straining for it.
August 31, 2022
These are such ace quirky books
Narrated by a dog a cat and a vicar they get into all kinds of 1950s bother. So easy to read and humorous too
Narrated by a dog a cat and a vicar they get into all kinds of 1950s bother. So easy to read and humorous too
October 9, 2022
A quick and easy read. Not sure if I loved the order of events though.
February 23, 2017
This book is great fun...darkly humorous and quirky in a quintessentially English sort of way; I laughed out loud at various points while reading this book...laughs that I really needed.
The basic plot is this: A village woman is murdered and we learn the whole story from three points of view: from the local vicar, the dead woman's cat, and a dog. Need I say more?
The basic plot is this: A village woman is murdered and we learn the whole story from three points of view: from the local vicar, the dead woman's cat, and a dog. Need I say more?
December 18, 2018
This book is just crazy funny with the wackiest main character. He’s like a train wreck going from bad to worse but you keep rooting for him!!
August 10, 2007
A LOAD OF OLD BONES (Untraditional mystery- 3 POV- England-1950s) - VG
Hill, Suzette A. – 1st book
Constable, 2007, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9781845295813
First Sentence: It was Bouncer who found the leg.
*** Reverend Francis Oughterard is a quiet man who simply wants a quiet life. That’s hard to achieve with an obnoxious neighbor, a jealous banker, a drunken bishop and an accidental murder. Now, it’s up to Bouncer the dog and Maurice the cat to keep the Reverend out of prison and their comfortable, new home intact.
*** What a fun book and so well done. I feared a story where two of the protagonists, and points-of-view were a dog and cat, would be cloying sweet and cute. Not so. It is clever and funny and a thoroughly good read.
Hill, Suzette A. – 1st book
Constable, 2007, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9781845295813
First Sentence: It was Bouncer who found the leg.
*** Reverend Francis Oughterard is a quiet man who simply wants a quiet life. That’s hard to achieve with an obnoxious neighbor, a jealous banker, a drunken bishop and an accidental murder. Now, it’s up to Bouncer the dog and Maurice the cat to keep the Reverend out of prison and their comfortable, new home intact.
*** What a fun book and so well done. I feared a story where two of the protagonists, and points-of-view were a dog and cat, would be cloying sweet and cute. Not so. It is clever and funny and a thoroughly good read.
gave-up-life-is-too-short
September 1, 2009Tedious. Plodding. Pointless. Derivative.
December 31, 2021
Likeable romp set in a cosy 1950s English village featuring the misadventures of a hapless vicar and his pets.
The story is told from the point of view of three different narrators, the vicar, his cat Maurice and his dog Bouncer. I was initially sceptical of this, expecting the pets’ narratives to be excruciatingly corny, but it’s all rather well done, and each narrative voice is distinct.
Comparisons to E.F. Benson are not out of place; it has something of his easy style and a light comic touch, but don’t expect the exquisite characterisation or sharp comic observations of Mapp and Lucia. Most of the characters are types, (including the cat and dog), and only the Reverend has a semblance of originality.
Not exactly a murder mystery, as it’s short on plot and nothing ever leads anywhere, but it has a whimsical charm to it. An enjoyable, easy read.
The story is told from the point of view of three different narrators, the vicar, his cat Maurice and his dog Bouncer. I was initially sceptical of this, expecting the pets’ narratives to be excruciatingly corny, but it’s all rather well done, and each narrative voice is distinct.
Comparisons to E.F. Benson are not out of place; it has something of his easy style and a light comic touch, but don’t expect the exquisite characterisation or sharp comic observations of Mapp and Lucia. Most of the characters are types, (including the cat and dog), and only the Reverend has a semblance of originality.
Not exactly a murder mystery, as it’s short on plot and nothing ever leads anywhere, but it has a whimsical charm to it. An enjoyable, easy read.
November 9, 2022
A delightful cosy mystery with recognisable quintessentially English characters set in a small English village.
Reverend Francis Oughterard has been sent to the quiet parish of Molehill after an unfortunate breakdown. Here he hopes to manage the parish in relative peace. He hasn’t factored in the formidable women parishioners, and their quest for an audience with him at all times of the day, and as he tries to fit in, but inevitably sticks out, things come to a head in a most unexpected way.
Told from the perspective of a cat, a dog, and the vicar himself, this is a charming and witty tale, that kept me amused. Man’s best friend really does come to the rescue, and the cat exudes all the charm and smugness you would expect. You can’t help but root for the reverend, despite his faults.
Perfect rainy day read.
Reverend Francis Oughterard has been sent to the quiet parish of Molehill after an unfortunate breakdown. Here he hopes to manage the parish in relative peace. He hasn’t factored in the formidable women parishioners, and their quest for an audience with him at all times of the day, and as he tries to fit in, but inevitably sticks out, things come to a head in a most unexpected way.
Told from the perspective of a cat, a dog, and the vicar himself, this is a charming and witty tale, that kept me amused. Man’s best friend really does come to the rescue, and the cat exudes all the charm and smugness you would expect. You can’t help but root for the reverend, despite his faults.
Perfect rainy day read.
December 22, 2017
This was a gift from someone who thinks that I, as a church minister, might be tempted to murder my parishioners! I'd better not comment on that! But the story is quite readable and doesn't demand too much. I have another couple in this series to get through.
January 4, 2018
I thought I would love this. Then I decided I didn’t like it much, then it grew on me. No “whodunnit “ to it and not a particularly nice character in the vicar, but the humor and antics carried the story.
November 20, 2018
Cozy mystery set in rural village in Sussex, UK. Reverend Ougnterard has been appointed vicar of the parish church and is adjusting to his new congregation. Investigation of murder somewhat inept. Narrated by vicar and neighborhood cat and dog. Very amusing.
March 6, 2019
Interesting book. It took me a while to get into it. Having a cat and a dog as two of the three narrators took some getting used to, but added some humor to the story. I'm not sure that I like the main character, but I liked his pets!
February 25, 2018
Once I got used to thinking like a cat, then a dog, then the vicar- and also got used to the old fashioned language - I absolutely loved it! Stay with it - it's an adorable little story!
January 27, 2019
Very original and funny - delightful to read a crime novel that doesn't take itself too seriously.
October 1, 2015
I downloaded this book to my Kindle on the strength of the synopsis and recommendations from friends, and then I promptly forgot about it. I've been making a point to go back to read the earliest books I downloaded. I'm not much of a cat person, so when A Load of Old Bones started out with "The Cat's Memoir" in Maurice's voice, I didn't know how far I would be able to read. That uncertainty held until chapter three, "The Dog's Diary." When I read the very first thing Bouncer the dog said, I burst into laughter.
This book reminds me of the old "Columbo" television series when you knew the identity of the killer and all you had to do was sit back and watch the detective put all the clues together to catch him. What made me a bit uneasy is how quickly I accepted Oughterard killing a woman and covering it up. It undoubtedly has a lot to do with the fact that the dreaded Mrs. F. is the type of person who makes most of those who meet her want to strangle her.
As a fan of Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie mysteries, I have no problem with dogs (and the occasional cat) speaking to me, but what surprised me was how harmoniously the voices of Oughterard, Bouncer and Maurice blended together. Between the three of them, a reader gets the complete picture, and watching these two animals come to the aid of the vicar is laugh-out-loud funny.
There is very little interplay between the characters in A Load of Old Bones. You're going to spend most of your time in the heads of a vicar, a dog, and a cat. I had a delightful time there; however, I don't think I want to repeat the experience. There are other books in this series, which came as no surprise because there was a strong foreshadowing of blackmail at the end, but I don't think I'd find another visit to Molehill to be nearly as much fun. I'd rather stop with this book and keep the good memories and the smile on my face.
This book reminds me of the old "Columbo" television series when you knew the identity of the killer and all you had to do was sit back and watch the detective put all the clues together to catch him. What made me a bit uneasy is how quickly I accepted Oughterard killing a woman and covering it up. It undoubtedly has a lot to do with the fact that the dreaded Mrs. F. is the type of person who makes most of those who meet her want to strangle her.
As a fan of Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie mysteries, I have no problem with dogs (and the occasional cat) speaking to me, but what surprised me was how harmoniously the voices of Oughterard, Bouncer and Maurice blended together. Between the three of them, a reader gets the complete picture, and watching these two animals come to the aid of the vicar is laugh-out-loud funny.
There is very little interplay between the characters in A Load of Old Bones. You're going to spend most of your time in the heads of a vicar, a dog, and a cat. I had a delightful time there; however, I don't think I want to repeat the experience. There are other books in this series, which came as no surprise because there was a strong foreshadowing of blackmail at the end, but I don't think I'd find another visit to Molehill to be nearly as much fun. I'd rather stop with this book and keep the good memories and the smile on my face.
May 2, 2010
A Load of Old Bones (2005) introduces the Reverend Francis Oughterard, vicar of Molehill, in 1950s Surrey, England. Exhausted by his efforts to be the hearty and dynamic leader the Bishop favors, Francis is relieved to find that his banishment to the sleepy village of Molehill may actually suit him perfectly. There are only two parishioners the vicar finds difficult: the predatory widow Elizabeth Fotherington who has decided to pursue him, and the banker Reginald Bowler who views him as a rival. Francis finds them both extremely tiresome and often resorts to solitary rambles in the woods. The morning his vacation begins, Francis is distressed to find that Elizabeth has followed him into the woods and insists on making conversation. Overcome by an uncontrollable impulse, Francis strangles her with her own scarf and flees. Upon his return, Francis finds that Elizabeth’s supercilious cat Maurice has moved in, and that he has become a person of interest to the police. Then Reginald absconds with the bank’s funds, leaving his bone-obsessed dog Bouncer homeless. Bouncer also inserts himself into the vicar’s household and joins forces with Maurice to protect the bumbling Francis from incriminating himself, so that they can continue to enjoy their comfortable new home. Luckily for the absent-minded vicar, Maurice and Bouncer are far shrewder than he is. Narrated in alternate chapters by the vicar, Maurice, and Bouncer, this dryly humorous debut mystery cleverly presents three distinct perspectives on the same reality.
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/H_A...
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/H_A...
September 9, 2008
An interesting kinda-mystery that isn’t actually a mystery. The novel tells the story of a lazy vicar who enjoys his peaceful parish until a wealthy widow latches onto him and makes his life hell. So, about a quarter of the way through the book, he murders her. The story continues from there, with the narration oscillating between the vicar, the widow’s cat, and a local dog (both of the pets end up living with the vicar).
This book is even-keeled and interesting, if not all that engrossing. Maurice, the cat, is particularly funny in his haughty evaluation of the dog and the vicar; the dog is this opposite, loving and jubilant. The 1950s diction and attitudes give the story a jaunty, polished feeling.
While I liked the book, I couldn’t help but notice how empty the vicar was of any feeling about the crime he’d committed. It’s not all that strange to see a novel where you’re just fine with the murderer getting the chop (c.f. the M.C. Beaton Death of a Cad series), but it is weird to be in on the murder, to see the murder proceed without much guilt or thought, and not to mind.
Overall, worth a read, but if you don’t like it after 50 pages, you won’t like it any better as it goes on.
This book is even-keeled and interesting, if not all that engrossing. Maurice, the cat, is particularly funny in his haughty evaluation of the dog and the vicar; the dog is this opposite, loving and jubilant. The 1950s diction and attitudes give the story a jaunty, polished feeling.
While I liked the book, I couldn’t help but notice how empty the vicar was of any feeling about the crime he’d committed. It’s not all that strange to see a novel where you’re just fine with the murderer getting the chop (c.f. the M.C. Beaton Death of a Cad series), but it is weird to be in on the murder, to see the murder proceed without much guilt or thought, and not to mind.
Overall, worth a read, but if you don’t like it after 50 pages, you won’t like it any better as it goes on.
June 25, 2011
BOTTOM LINE: Satirical cosy/fantasy centered around a very odd vicar, his cat and dog, rural England, sometime in the 1950s. When the peculiar vicar of an obscure little village murders an extremely obnoxious parishioner, his cat and dog work to keep him out of trouble. A nicely light touch makes what would have seemed insufferably sweet and “precious”, into a gently ironic look at a classic situation from decidedly skewed viewpoints.
One of the nicest bits is that there are three narrators: the vicar, the cat, and the dog, and this conceit works well. The cat and the dog only speak to each other, and the poor vicar hasn’t a clue as to what is actually going on.
Pleasant, and funny in spots - the concept is very sharp and might have been wonderful; it ought to have seemed like Christie on acid, but only gets to the “mildly intoxicated” stage. Not bad for a first novel, though, especially if you like old-fashioned cosies and have a peculiar sense of humor.
Would have been superb as a longish story or a novella, but gets stretched out too much, even at only 200 pages. I like her peculiar attitude towards The Christie Canon, and hope she writes another.
One of the nicest bits is that there are three narrators: the vicar, the cat, and the dog, and this conceit works well. The cat and the dog only speak to each other, and the poor vicar hasn’t a clue as to what is actually going on.
Pleasant, and funny in spots - the concept is very sharp and might have been wonderful; it ought to have seemed like Christie on acid, but only gets to the “mildly intoxicated” stage. Not bad for a first novel, though, especially if you like old-fashioned cosies and have a peculiar sense of humor.
Would have been superb as a longish story or a novella, but gets stretched out too much, even at only 200 pages. I like her peculiar attitude towards The Christie Canon, and hope she writes another.
February 22, 2014
A Load of Old Bones by Suzette Hill is very much a mixed bag, as far as genre goes. It's sort of a murder mystery in that there is a murder and an investigation - only there's not much that's mysterious. It's sort of a suspense novel - except the stakes are so low. It's very much an animal story, as large parts are narrated by a cat and dog - only most of it is narrated by the owner. It's kind of a slice of life novel, about the mundane and fussbudget life of a lowly vicar in 1950s England - except that all that the other bits are mixed in as well.
It is a humorous story, although the humor is very dry and low key. Most of the laughable moments come from the differing values of cats, dogs and humans, and how they compare and contrast and interpret the world. It's light and airy and just a little bit snarky. I have to say that I was quite shocked when the actual murder took place. The way it came about… well, I wasn't expecting that twist at all.
The ending was too abrupt for my taste. It's like the novel just stopped and there was no resolution or cap to the tale. In the end, fairly enjoyable. I'd give it 3 and a half if I could.
It is a humorous story, although the humor is very dry and low key. Most of the laughable moments come from the differing values of cats, dogs and humans, and how they compare and contrast and interpret the world. It's light and airy and just a little bit snarky. I have to say that I was quite shocked when the actual murder took place. The way it came about… well, I wasn't expecting that twist at all.
The ending was too abrupt for my taste. It's like the novel just stopped and there was no resolution or cap to the tale. In the end, fairly enjoyable. I'd give it 3 and a half if I could.
June 25, 2013
A book of gentle humour set in a bygone age. A comedic Agatha Christie type novel. I read all of them enjoying their slow charm.
All the Reverend Francis Oughterard had ever wanted was some peace and quiet, instead he becomes entangled in a nightmare world of accidental murder, predatory female parishioners, officious policemen and a drunken bishop. As the vicar's life spirals out of control it is his supercilious cat, Maurice, and bone obsessed hound, Bouncer, who save the day. A Load of Old Bones is a charming and farcical romp through a 1950's mythical Surrey. Praise for Suzette A. Hill: 'Perfect one-sitting summer read.' Laura Wilson, Guardian 'E F Benson crossed with Jerome K Jerome' The Times audiobooks review 'Quite why this series should be charming, astringent and witty, instead of emetically twee, I am not sure, but it is entirely delightful' Guardian 'This dry, funny British gem, with its eccentric cast of characters, will have readers laughing and eagerly awaiting the next episode' Publishers Weekly
All the Reverend Francis Oughterard had ever wanted was some peace and quiet, instead he becomes entangled in a nightmare world of accidental murder, predatory female parishioners, officious policemen and a drunken bishop. As the vicar's life spirals out of control it is his supercilious cat, Maurice, and bone obsessed hound, Bouncer, who save the day. A Load of Old Bones is a charming and farcical romp through a 1950's mythical Surrey. Praise for Suzette A. Hill: 'Perfect one-sitting summer read.' Laura Wilson, Guardian 'E F Benson crossed with Jerome K Jerome' The Times audiobooks review 'Quite why this series should be charming, astringent and witty, instead of emetically twee, I am not sure, but it is entirely delightful' Guardian 'This dry, funny British gem, with its eccentric cast of characters, will have readers laughing and eagerly awaiting the next episode' Publishers Weekly
September 2, 2011
Gentle, amusing and diverting (though not, as the blurb-excitement reads, remotely close to being ‘Three Men in a Boat’), A Load of Old Bones is more a quiet parody of the fluffy rural crime genre of a particular period. Narrated, in turns, by the cat belonging to the victim, the dog belonging to the victim’s would-be male companion, and the local vicar, I found it difficult to reconcile the cuteness with the murder until I realised (somewhat belatedly) that the author was treating that as cute (cute with edge, perhaps) too. Once you’ve tucked away any residual hardened crime-reader habits, though, A Load of Old Bones is readable; not over-burdened with strong characters beyond the vicar – who I admit I enjoyed rather a lot, and consider a decent candidate for character serialisation – but sporting a well-paced narrative and plenty of colourful detailing.
November 5, 2009
Reverend Oughterard is anticipating a quiet life in his new rural parish until he draws the extrememly unfortunate attentions of rich local widow Elizabeth Fotherington. If only something would happen to remove this blight from his otherwise comforable world... Then Bouncer, the dog, discovers the leg in the undergrowth... The story is told by the vicar, with alternating chapters from the viewpoint of Bouncer and the widow's cat Maurice viewpoint (which could be just too cutesy but manages not to be). First in a series of funny, farcical mysteries that would make a great television movie.
June 23, 2014
I don't think I've been this happy to finish a book since that god-awful Doctor Who one that was god-awful. This only has two stars because it wasn't the aforementioned Doctor Who tome.
I'd read reviews that said this was a hilarious books and that some of the jokes were really laugh out loud funny... so yeah, that was a thing. I missed that though. I didn't laugh out loud once. I'm not sure I really did anything other than sigh that it still wasn't done yet.
Still, I have the other four in the series... so that'll be fun.
I'd read reviews that said this was a hilarious books and that some of the jokes were really laugh out loud funny... so yeah, that was a thing. I missed that though. I didn't laugh out loud once. I'm not sure I really did anything other than sigh that it still wasn't done yet.
Still, I have the other four in the series... so that'll be fun.
April 6, 2012
A load of old bones is about right. The story is told in the 1st person by 3 different characters- a dog, a cat, and a vicar. Annoyingly, to me the book was ruined by the fact that no matter which character's view point I was reading, all I could hear was the voice of the author (plumby and proud of her extensive vocabulary- either that or sat with a thesaurus) Sorry, but I couldn't get past that to actually enjoy the story.
April 14, 2013
I read 'Bones in the Belfry' before I read this book so I guess I read them in the 'wrong' order. I thoroughly enjoyed Bones in the Belfry and expected that this would be at least as good if not better. It wasn't. I didn't find the same degree of humour in the murdering vicar's attempts to evade detection. I still liked the narrative from the perspective of the vicar, his cat and his dog so all was not lost.
December 4, 2015
I read this because I liked the idea of a murder mystery written partly from the point of view of a cat, and partly from the point of view of a dog. Unfortunately, Hill makes hardly even a token attempt to get into either the canine of feline mind. Furthermore, the whole thing is horrible overwritten to make up for its bland plot, while the main character is not interesting enough to get away with being unlikeable.
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